Jack Draper has revealed the secrets behind his striking physical transformation as he prepares to begin his US Open campaign on Monday.
The British No 1 faces Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez in his opening match, returning to the scene of last year’s semi-final breakthrough with a new look and a renewed sense of strength.
Draper, who once struggled with durability, now cuts an imposing figure that has sparked comparisons ranging from a UFC fighter to a WWE star.
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“I have worked incredibly hard to improve my physicality on the court,” Draper explained.
Jack Draper has revealed the secrets behind his striking physical transformation as he prepares to begin his US Open campaign on Monday
|GETTY
“I think part of it is my genetics and growing into a bit more of a man’s body. I think that took me a long time.”
The transformation has been impossible to ignore. At the French Open earlier this year, Alexander Bublik described Draper’s build as “insane”, while fans at Flushing Meadows wolf-whistled when he stepped onto court in a sleeveless top during last week’s mixed doubles.
Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing around 90kg, Draper now has the presence he believes is vital to compete at the top of the men’s game.
The 23-year-old credits much of the change to fitness trainer Matt Little and physio Shane Annun.
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Both were formerly part of Andy Murray’s celebrated team and Draper has now revealed he's ready to push himself more, having once been wary of doing so.
“I have started to really enjoy improving in the gym,” the world No 5 admitted.
“Before I didn’t really want to push myself, I didn’t really want to feel strong almost.
"But I feel great in myself now and I understand the benefits it has on the match court.”
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Jack Draper lost to Jannik Sinner at the US Open last year
| US OpenA shock second-round defeat at Wimbledon to Marin Cilic proved a setback, but Draper used the early exit to embark on a punishing training block in London.
The work included leg-strengthening drills, cardio, and intense sessions on the versa-climber – a machine Murray once swore by.
“I’ve been leaving no stone unturned,” Draper insisted.
“Ultimately, I’m doing stuff where you’re shocking your body all the time and working it as hard as possible to get the best gains.”
The commitment marks a significant shift from his early years on tour, when Draper’s career was interrupted by physical frailties and mid-match retirements.
Signs of progress came at January’s Australian Open, where he survived three consecutive five-set battles before bowing out against Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round.
Since then, he has gone on to lift the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells and impress across both clay and grass seasons.
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Jack Draper says he's leaving 'no stone unturned' as he bids to win the US Open
|REUTERS
Draper, however, insists his ambitions extend beyond fitness and consistency.
With Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz dominating the majors, the Briton is determined to challenge their supremacy.
“I don’t want to feel like we’re just letting them do it,” he said. “I want to keep on going after them, keep on improving, and hopefully soon be competing with them.”